Boutique hotel set to take over 19th century housing block

A 19th century housing block and takeaway house in Manchester’s Northern Quarter could be repurposed as a boutique hotel under plans by its owner.

The proposed plans would see the venue redesigned as a boutique hotel that spans several floors, with the potential for more floors to be added, and a restaurant fitted on the ground floor.

Manchester Evening News has reported that the news that the block’s tenants were to be moved was met with concern within the local area due to fears of losing traditional buildings to ‘over-development’.

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According to the publication, Fraser Westbrook, whose property firm, Agecroft Investments, owns the property, said: “Until now we have not been able to find tenants who can afford to pay the rentals which are necessary to make the scheme viable.”

“At this moment in time we are in discussions with Manchester Council planners to clear heritage concerns and hopefully we will obtain planning consent in order that we can start work on the site in the reasonably near future.

“It would be for a boutique hotel for three floors – if we’re allowed to go up that far – and the potential for a restaurant downstairs.”

It is expected that Westbrook could lodge planning permission in March, following the return of the council’s heritage report.

He said the council’s heritage report was due back at the start of March, at which point a planning application could potentially be lodged soon after.

“We weren’t looking for extravagant rents, either, but the building costs – whether it was refurbished or partly knocked down – were going to be huge,” explained Westbrook.